“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Bamidbar
Pirkei Avos – Perek 5 ---
23 Iyar 5774/May 23, 2014 – 38th day of the Omer
Before I left to Eretz
Yisroel prior to Chanukah a few months ago, I asked a rebbe of mine if there
was anyone particular I should try to make it a point to visit while I was
there. He quickly answered "Rav Zundel Kroizer".
I had heard of Rav
Zundel from a friend who often told me about Rav Zundel’s hidden greatness. Rav
Chaim Kanievsky is purported to have once quipped that Hashem must love Rav
Zundel more than He loves himself because Hashem allowed Rav Zundel to remain
hidden from the public eye where he could serve G-d without interruption of the
masses. Those who knew the "secret gadol" would testify about his
incredible saintliness, devotion to G-d, and incredible love and diligence in
Torah study.
Despite the fact that he
learned privately with such notable tzaddikim as Rav Chaim Brimm zt'l, Rav
Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt'l, and Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz shlita, he was virtually
unknown.
When I tried to inquire about where in Yerushalayim Rav Zundel lived the only information I could procure was that he davened vasikin (sunrise) in the Zichron Moshe shteibluch (near Geulah) in the morning, and that he was again there between 4-5 pm each day davening mincha, learning, and then davening maariv.
When I tried to inquire about where in Yerushalayim Rav Zundel lived the only information I could procure was that he davened vasikin (sunrise) in the Zichron Moshe shteibluch (near Geulah) in the morning, and that he was again there between 4-5 pm each day davening mincha, learning, and then davening maariv.
When we were in Eretz
Yisroel I had the zechus to meet and receive berachos from a few tzaddikim,
including Rav Shmuel Auerbach, Rav Gamliel Rabinowitz, and Rav Avigdor Nebenzhal.
But somehow I kept missing Rav Zundel. It was upsetting and frustrating, but I
hoped that I would one day have the opportunity to meet him. Sadly, I now know
that that will never happen, for last week Rav Zundel was niftar.
But on another level there is still a
way I can meet Rav Zundel and draw from his spiritual wellsprings.
This week tens of
thousands of Jews of all backgrounds traveled to Meron in the north of Eretz
Yisroel to be at the kever of Rav Shimon bar Yochai on Lag Baomer. For the rest
of us who were not able to be there at the unparalleled festive celebration we
can take comfort from the following anecdote:
A young Gerrer chossid
once asked his rebbe, the Bais Yisroel, for permission to leave yeshiva for two
days so he can travel to Meron for Lag Baomer. When the rebbe asked him why he
wanted to go, the chossid replied "to meet Rav Shimon bar Yochai".
The rebbe poignantly replied that if he wanted to truly encounter Rav Shimon,
he could find him in the pages of Gemara where his teachings are prevalent. [It's
worth noting that in the Daf Yomi of Lag Baomer this past Sunday, Rav Shimon
was quoted.]
Unfortunately I will
never have the opportunity to receive a beracha or to gaze at Rav Zundel's holy
countenance, but Torah transcends all limitations and time. Through his
numerous volumes of seforim, entitled Ohr Hachama, I can encounter his
greatness and still ‘meet him’.
In two weeks all of
Klal Yisroel will recommit ourselves uninhibitedly to the Torah and all of its
commandments. In doing so we connect ourselves to eternal life and a life of
meaning and fulfillment. Above all, within the pages of
Torah study we encounter G-d Himself.
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani
Staum